cash aid, food stamps in Alameda County: www.alamedasocialservices.org.Contact MSW for details on the application process within and beyond Alameda County.

Employment

Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (state employment and life skills training program for individuals with disabilities):
www.rehab.cahwnet.gov.

Charitable Organizations

Make A Wish Foundation (program for children under age 18 with transfusion-dependent, severe forms of Thalassemia and other life-threatening conditions): www.wish.org.

The Wish Connection (program for children under age 18 with Thalassemia and other lifethreatening or chronic conditions):
thewishconnection.org.

Painted Turtle Camp (annual summer camp in Southern California for children ages 16 and under with transfusion-dependent Thalassemia and other chronic conditions) www.thepaintedturtle.org.

Advocacy:

MSW Role: to advocate for the educational and safety rights of our patients and families.

Resources:

Educational

504 Plan and IEP (for school-age children who require special accommodations for their academic curriculum due to health and other conditions): www.ed-center.com/504.Contact MSW for details on how to initiate these programs in your local community

Legal

East Bay Community Law Center (legal aid center in Alameda County for low-income families): www.ebclc.org.